Ninja Foodi pressure cooker review

REVIEW – It might seem like pressure cookers are the latest cooking gadget fad, but pressure cookers have been around for decades – just not with fancy displays and features like the ones we’re seeing today. The traditional pressure cookers just had an analog gauge on top to show the pressure level and I thought they were scary as heck with their sputtering and spinning valves. Today’s pressure cookers have come a long way and they rank as my number one favorite kitchen gadget. Today I want to tell you about the Ninja Foodi pressure cooker which raises the bar when it comes to this category of cookers. Let’s take a look!

This post was created in partnership with Ninja and I received a complimentary product but all opinions within are my own.

What is it?

The Ninja Foodi is a modern pressure cooker with a set of feature that includes a digital display, multi-pressure levels, timer, and a keep warm feature. But the feature that really sets this pressure cooker apart from other brands is that it doubles as an air fryer that not only pressure cooks your food super fast, it can make it crispy too.

What’s in the box?

  • Ninja Foodi pressure cooker
  • Crisping lid
  • Pressure lid
  • 6.5 qt. Removable cooking pot
  • 4 qt. Cook & Crisp basket
  • Reversible rack
  • Detachable diffuser
  • Silicone ring
  • Anti-clog cap
  • Condensation collector
  • Recipe book with 45 recipes
  • User manual

Design and features

The Ninja Foodi is larger than other popular pressure cookers on the market, but that’s because it can do a lot more than those cookers.

The front of the Foodi has easy to understand display and touch panel that will let you set the timed cooking sessions and adjust the pressure setting from LO to HI. You can also choose which style of cooking to use: pressure, steam, slow cook, sear/saute, air crisp, bake, broil, and dehydrate.

The back of the Foodi has several vents and a drip cup.

The plastic drip cup pulls out for easy cleanup.

Where the Ninja Foodi differs from other pressure cookers is the 2-lid system. The lid attached to the cooker is actually the air crisper / air fryer lid.

The lid has a built-in fan that circulates air around the cooking food to crisp skin and outer food surfaces without needing to use a deep fryer.

Included with the Foodi is a metal air crisper basket that is perfect for using the Foodie to make french fries and other foods. The slots on the bottom of the basic allow the air to circulate and any oils to drip into the main 6.5qt. cook pot below it.

 

When you want to use the pressure cooker feature, you use the pressure lid with the air crisp lid in the open position.

If you’re already familiar with using a pressure cooker, the Ninja Foodi pressure lid has a seal/vent valve on top and a large handle that makes it easy to secure and remove the lid.

I’m hungry, let’s cook like a Ninja!

The first food that I cooked in the Ninja Foodi was a 6 lb. chicken which went from raw to perfectly cooked in about 30 minutes vs. the usual 20 minutes per pound formula that I use when I cook a chicken in the oven. Talk about saving time.

It was so easy to cook the chicken. I just added a cup of water to the pot, put the chicken in the pot, added some salt, pepper, paprika, and tyme. Then the pressure lid went on top, the valve was set to seal, I pressed the power button, pressed the pressure cook button, set the time to 30 minutes, and pressed start. The display showed an animated cursor rotating around the display until the pressure in the pot reached the right level. Then the timer counted down until it finished with a tone.

I let the pressure release naturally for a few minutes and then rotated the valve to the vent position until the pressure pin dropped which meant that it was then safe to remove the lid. Look at that bird! It was perfectly cooked and tasted amazing.

In the bottom of the pot was several cups of golden chicken broth that I used later to make chicken and noodles with the leftover chicken – in the Ninja Foodi! The noodles only took about 20 minutes and YUM!

What about the air crisp lid? I used it to revive some leftover fish and fries from a trip to Cheesecake Factory. I like to eat out but almost never eat my entire meal. Trying to heat up leftover fried foods usually results in a soggy rubbery mess but the air crisp lid perked up the food to taste almost as good as it did in the restaurant. All I did was arrange it in the air crisp out which was then placed inside the main 6.5qt cooking pot.

Then I set the air crisp to 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

With the air crisper lid, you can lift it anytime you like without having to wait for the cooker’s pressure to bleed off because the pressure isn’t used in this cooking mode. It worked great.

Clean up is fast too!

One of my favorite things about using the Foodi other than eating the delicious food that I cook with it, is that clean up is as fast as cooking with it. The inner cooking pot can go in the dishwasher. The pressure lid has to be hand washed but it really doesn’t get that dirty because the pressure keeps food from splattering on it.

What I like

  • Versatile: pressure cooker, air fryer, and more
  • Easy to use
  • FAST cooking made simple

What needs to be improved

  • Need a way to store the air pressure lid when not being used

Final thoughts

I’ve been a huge fan of modern pressure cookers after trying my first one a year or so ago. Since then I use it to cook foods that would normally take an hour or more in a fraction of the time. You might think that cooking faster could mean that the foods wouldn’t taste as good but it’s the opposite with the Ninja Foodi. Pressure cooking makes the flavors better because they are infused into the foods.

Price: $199.80
Where to buy: Ninja
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Ninja.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: , ,

Ninja Foodi pressure cooker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 25, 2019 at 8:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife review

REVIEW – Sometimes I get to review products that just feel like magic right out of the box. The Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter is one of those cases. These guys set out to make the perfect chef’s knife, and I think that they may have accomplished that. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a chef’s knife made in the USA.

What’s in the box?

My sample came with the knife and a leather sheath. Additional package options are available with the Kickstarter campaign.

Hardware specs

8.6″ blade, 13.6″ overall length
15 degree cutting angle with a 50/50 bevel
160 grams total weight
Elmax “Super Steel” Construction
Richlite composite handle with G10 liners

Design and features

I’ve recently been working on educating myself on the finer points of what makes a good chef’s knife. It’s a complicated subject full of terms like “steel composition” and “blade geometry.” Here’s what you need to know: the Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife is an amazing piece of work.

My sample knife came with a custom leather sheath. It’s just gorgeous. Seriously. Just look at it. You just want to show it off.

The knife is handcrafted in the USA, with industrial-strength Elmax steel from Sweden. The goal was to produce a knife that’s thin and nimble like Asian chef’s knives, yet has the durability for heavy commercial use. Check out how the steel composition is proudly imprinted on the opposite face of the blade.

But there’s more than just good steel going on in the finished product. The folks at Artisan Revere paid close attention to the blade ergonomics and finishing to make sure it would be comfortable & durable for all day use. Check out the contoured handle.

That handle is made from a recycled wood & resin composite that’s made to take a beating. See that little design in the rivet? Details like that speak to craftsmanship in the final product.

The handle is sealed with G10 liners sandwiched between the steel and the handle to prevent moisture from getting into the crevasses. That’s a big deal if you’re making an investment in a good knife.

And check out the hand finishing in the bolster. There are no sharp edges and a bit of a scoop out for your finger. That means that it’s comfortable to use in a pinch grip, or a “pistol” grip as I show in the pictures below.

The spine has also been gently rounded with no harsh edges. While this may not seem like a big detail, it means a lot when you’re murdering large quantities of proteins or produce for an extended period of time. Little things like this show that these guys are thinking about both the home cook and the professional chef in the design.

When you put it to work, you’ll quickly appreciate how all of this comes together. It feels like a natural extension of your hand, with a super-thin blade that can tackle the most delicate tasks with incredible agility. Here I am breaking down apple slices that are nearly transparent. I could get them thinner with a bit of practice.

Turning to some denser root vegetables, I blasted through a carrot like it was wasn’t even there. The knife just feels amazing, gliding through the vegetable like paper.

For some finer work I attacked a pepper I was dicing for dinner. The thin, nimble blade makes short work of carefully removing the cheeks from the core.

And dicing? Please. I had this pepper broken down from start to finish in about 90 seconds. The balance is perfect, giving you a ton of confidence in handling both finer tasks and bigger slicing/chopping work.

The overall blade length is 8.6″, which is slightly longer than your typical chef’s knife. I prefer a longer knife personally for the leverage (my favorite is a 10″ model), but it can get clunky when it comes to little projects. I think the folks at Artisan Revere have hit the perfect combination here. In addition to vegetable prep, I used the knife to trim up about 10 pounds of chicken today for a large event. I never looked to grab another knife for any of the work from start to finish. And I did not want to. It just feels good to use, and had me looking for more stuff to cut up even after spending hours in the kitchen.

What I like

  • Excellent ergonomics.
  • Nimble, agile handling.
  • Excellent construction and attention to detail.
  • Durable enough that you don’t need to baby it.

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing to be found yet.

Final thoughts

The Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife is not cheap. You’re looking at a minimum $259 investment if you act quickly on their Kickstarter campaign, which has met it’s initial goal and is filling up fast. But if you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen arsenal, I have no qualms about recommending this knife. From steel composition to finished design, these guys are making a product well worth your consideration without cutting any corners.

Artisan Revere has posted a ton of information on their Kickstarter page about their process from sourcing the materials to final design & construction. Take a wander over to the page for more information by following the link below. But don’t wait too long… the Kickstarter ends on April 18!

Price: Kickstarter packages start at $259.00. Lower buy-in options are available for a custom leather sheath and knife sharpener, while higher packages are available for multiple knives and accessories.
Where to buy: Go here to get in on the Kickstarter program!
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Artisan Revere.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: , ,

Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 1, 2019 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Edge of Belgravia Stingray frying pan review

REVIEW – The award-winning designers at Edge of Belgravia are at it again. But this time we’re not looking at knives… we’re looking at cookware! The Stingray nonstick pan is kicking off a new kickstarter campaign this week. I got a pre-launch sample to see if it’s more than just sharp looks. How did it perform in the kitchen? Let’s cook!

What is it

It’s a nonstick frying pan.

Hardware specs

  • 19.25″ long by 12.25″ wide by 2.5″ deep.
  • 2 pounds, 14 ounces.
  • Aircraft grade aluminum construction.
  • New ILAG nonstick surface.
  • FDA tested non-toxic and PFOA free.
  • Induction range compatible.
  • Oven safe to 480 degrees fahrenheit.

Design and features

I reviewed the Edge of Belgravia Gallatine knife set and Black Diamond knife block last year, and loved the combination of avant-garde design and performance. They’re still my day-to-day weapons of choice. The Stingray is the company’s first foray into other cooking products, carrying through their unique design language in a frying pan design.

The hexagonal design of the Stingray just looks incredible. The “Stingray” moniker comes from the unique shape coupled with the contoured handle, that vaguely resembles the sea beastie that we all know and love.

But there’s more than pretty looks behind the design of this pan. Heavy-duty aluminum is the primary material. It’s got the stability and thickness of cast iron, but weighs in at just under three pounds. A diffuser on the base promotes even heating and is compatible with induction cooktops.

The handle has a nice contoured grip that makes for comfortable maneuvering when put to task. Notice that the angle of the handle keeps your knuckles from brushing against the stove top, and the 9″ length gives you plenty of room to keep your digits safe from the heat.

A pair of bolts connect the handle to the pan, and there’s no wiggle to be found in the grip. The construction is rock-solid.

To put the pan to the test, I decided that stir-fry was the way to go. The thick walls of the pan do a great job of absorbing & retaining heat, which is essential for stir-fry. I started with browning some chicken. The hexagonal shape is perfect for that fancy flipping maneuver that makes your guests say “oooh!” I was also able to get a nice sear on the chicken. Check out the action shot below.

The pan is coated with a new nonstick formula that is reportedly provides better durability and will last longer than traditional nonstick coatings. After browning my chicken, I was able to get nice even searing on the veggies with just a touch of cooking oil for flavor.

With a 2.5″ pan depth, this pan is great for both frying and simmering tasks. I added all my ingredients back in the pan along with a sauce to simmer for a few minutes. There’s 1.5 pounds of chicken in there, a whole bunch of vegetables, and a cup of the sauce liquid. I’ve got a meal for 6 in one pan.

Once the cooking is complete, that hexagonal shape is ideal for pouring out your masterpiece. Check out how the corners help me control things when I am pouring out the contents of the pan. I have a LOT of stuff in there, and nothing is leaking out onto my counter.

The finished product, ready to serve:

I’m liking the way the pan retains a consistent heat without the heft of a cast iron skillet. Check out the close-up. We’ve got some nice searing going on.

We’ll have to see how the nonstick surface holds up to long-term use, but I am pretty impressed with what I am seeing so far. It looks pretty tough in my brief test under higher heat, and cleans up well, and leaves no marks or residue on the pan. Edge of Belgravia states that the pan can handle up to 480 degrees in the oven, a temperature that will destroy many nonstick surfaces. We’ll see how that lasts in extended testing.

There are a few things I did find in my testing that you should be aware of. That abrupt vertical angle on the sidewalls is great for simmering and pouring out liquids, but I haven’t tested it on dispensing large flat items (like omelets) yet. I think it should do the job well. The handle can also get warm at higher heats, closer to the contact point with the pan. It does stay cool at the far end of the handle. I think a matching lid for this piece would also be an excellent addition. I used a round lid to steam some broccoli for this dish, but the mismatching shape does cause liquids to condense and dribble down the sides. Maybe we will see that in the future.

What I like

  • Hefty, yet well balanced for handling
  • Great handle design
  • Durable, with an excellent nonstick surface
  • Hexagon shape aids with flipping and pouring

What needs to be improved

  • Handle can get warm neat the contact point with the pan at higher heats.
  • Would like to see a matching lid for steaming and simmering.

Final thoughts

I’m really liking this pan, and have used it several times already for routine cooking tasks. It does a great job of retaining heat and even heat distribution, even on my old glass cooktop. It’s very maneuverable compared to cast iron, and that lighter weight combined with a great handle design makes for confident cooking. The nonstick surface looks to be a winner, too.

The Edge of Belgravia Stingray Kickstarter fires up this week. The pan will be offered in 8″, 10″ and 12″ sizes with a starting pledge of about $60 for the 8″ model. You can choose from a variety of packages and combinations from there. The Kickstarter ends on April 30, with a planned delivery date of November 2019. Check out the link below to learn more!

Price: Starting pledge of about $60 US.
Where to buy: Go to the Edge of Belgravia Kickstarter page.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Edge of Belgravia.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: , ,

Edge of Belgravia Stingray frying pan review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

MyHotMat Connect warming tray review

REVIEW – Often when we have dinner guests over, we get lost in conversation and when someone goes back for seconds on a dish, our food is unpleasantly cold. Or we have a party and the queso dip either turns into an inedible block of resolidified processed cheese or gets overheated or burnt in the crock pot from inattention. Given the opportunity to review the MyHotMat Connect warming tray, I hoped to find a solution to these problems.

What is it?

MyHotMat Connect is a dual plate modular warming tray, with the two plates connected by flexible silicon to allow it to be folded over for easy storage. It provides a “Warm” and “Hot” heating level.

Additionally, each unit has a power port and cord (above) that allows up to 5 total units to be connected together for a total of 10 warming plates.

What’s in the box?

  • Two Plate Heating Unit
  • Power Cord
  • Connection Cord (for connecting to additional units)
  • Instruction Manual

Controls

There is one control mechanism on this unit, a toggle switch with three settings: WARM (I), OFF (O) and HOT (II).

Design and features

As you can see, it folds over compactly for storage, while folded it has a footprint of 9.8” x 9” x 4.1” and when unfolded for use it is 19.2” x 9” x 1.57”. It is available in red and gray for the plastic molding, while the heating plates have a stainless steel finish. For use, the trays take approximately 20 minutes to warm up, so you’ll need to think ahead a bit.

Per the project specifications, the unit can be used for up to 72 hours, they do not recommend use beyond that time frame. I was interested to read that this product had been tested and approved to be used during the observance of Shabbat, as I have a Jewish neighbor who observes it and could use a product like this. The HOT setting can reach 302 degrees F while the WARM setting reaches 212 degrees F. Care will need to be taken to keep pets and children from burning themselves on these units. An LED light illuminates the setting once turned on.

The HOT setting is recommended for soups, sauces and casseroles while the WARM setting is recommended for roasted, broiled or sautéed dishes and dry, baked goods. Additionally, when multiple units are connected, each unit can be set to its own setting. Finally, any glass, ceramic, stainless steel and aluminum containers, pots or pans can be safely placed on the warming plate surfaces.

For purposes of testing out this product, I had some friends over for a board game night and made a couple of dishes to use on the warming tray. First was a queso (velveta cheese block and rotel tomatoes) and the second was a bean dip. While preparing the food, I set the tray to HOT and let them warm up. Once ready, I moved the pot of queso straight from the stove top to the warming tray. For the bean dip, I took an oven-safe serving bowl we had and simply dumped the bean dip into the bowl and placed it on the other warming tray. Throughout the evening, my 4 friends and I made multiple trips to the trays to refill our plates. The queso stayed hot, liquefied and showed no signs of burning or curdling that I’m accustomed to when using a crock pot to keep it warm. The bean dip did start to dry out a bit as it got low, but that’s expected. The great part of the bean dip part, was that the bowl never got too hot to handle yet the bean dip stayed edible the whole time. A simple stirring of each dish from time to time kept them fresh and warm. Queso is kind of the ultimate test for me personally, as it can be a bit finicky – either burning, resolidifying or curdling if not kept at the right temperature. This warming tray delivered as promised.

What I like

  • Very simple controls
  • Storage is easy with the folding silicone connection
  • Being able to add multiple units for bigger parties/events
  • The color and design are sharp, fits into a modern kitchen very well
  • Worked very well at keeping our food hot

What needs to be improved

  • 20 minute heating time can be a problem if you don’t remember to turn it on early.
  • Cord management: there are two removable cords and if you’re like me, you could end up losing one or another, maybe have a snap lock tie under one of the units to help store the cords when not in use.
  • Price may be a bit of a deterrent.

Final thoughts

I anticipate using this warming tray very often, and may have to add a couple more to our kitchen for holiday celebrations that will require multiple casseroles and other hot dishes. The tray is very easy to use, has very simple controls and meets the expectations of the design. It is aesthetically pleasing as well for those who consider that an important part of their food presentation. Once it cools, it’s easily folded up and put away. I really had to struggle to find a way to improve this product, all of which don’t detract from the utility of the product. Overall, I consider it a great product and a signification improvement over other warming trays, crock pots and heated containers I’ve used to try and keep meals and snacks warm.

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: You can pick up the MyHotMat Connection on Amazon or on the manufacturer website.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by MyHotMat. You can find out more about their product on their website.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: , ,

MyHotMat Connect warming tray review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 26, 2019 at 11:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Cuisinart CMW-110 microwave oven with sensor cook & inverter technology review

REVIEW – When it comes to a microwave, you might think there’s nothing very tech/gadgeteer worthy about them. But the CMW-110 microwave from Cuisinart has a couple of features that might change your mind. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The CMW-110 microwave from Cuisinart looks and performs like a traditional microwave, but it offers a few extra features that make it a better choice than a cheap alternative from Walmart and other big box stores.

Specifications

Capacity: 1.1-cubic-foot capacity
Power: 1000 watts
11 power levels (0%-100%)
Turntable diameter: 12.4in
External dimensions: 20.2″ x 16.9″ x 12.1″
Weight: 24.7lb

Design and features

The Cuisinart CMW-110 microwave oven is a nice looking microwave that has a mainly black metal exterior with some stainless steel accents on the door’s edges and the handle.

This microwave doesn’t have a push button to open the door which I think is preferable they can break like my last Sharp microwave did.

The interior of the CMW-110 is grey, unlike white which all the microwaves I’ve used in the past were. The darker color makes it more difficult to see the foods while they are cooking and also makes it harder to clean up because you can’t see food splatters as easily.

Although the interior of this microwave oven is a bit dark, the Cuisinart’s display is the opposite. It’s so bright that it lights up my bedroom which about 25 feet down the hall from the kitchen. I’m considering getting some dark film to put over the display to cut down the brightness.

Depending on where you plan to place the microwave, you may need a special extension for the power cord.

What makes the Cuisinart CMW-110 microwave better than other microwaves in its price category? The CMW-110 features:

  • Inverter Technology for quicker, more even cooking, less noise, and lower energy consumption
  • Sensor cook which automatically adjusts the time and temperature to cook certain foods
  • Auto cook function allows for cooking preprogrammed foods
  • Express cooking
  • 3 Memory functions to save your favorite one and two-stage cooking procedures
  • Two-stage cooking operation

Most microwaves cycle power on and off to adjust for the power level setting. The CMW-110 uses inverter technology delivers a steady stream of power at the level you specify.  This helps foods cook more evenly so you don’t have overcooked edges like while defrosting.

The CMW-110’s sensor cooking feature measures the oven temps and humidity level which changes with the moisture of foods as they cook. The sensor’s in the microwave adjust the time and temperature for quicker and even cooking of certain foods which include: veggies, potatoes, pizza, meat/poultry, fish, and reheating leftovers.

The Auto Cook feature allows you to cook popular foods like soften/melt, popcorn, rice/grain, and beverage.

Express cooking that lets you press numbers 1 through 6 to cook that many minutes. For example, pressing 2 will cook on high power for 2 minutes

The Cuisinart CMW-110 microwave has 3 memory functions that will let you save your frequently used procedures. This is helpful if you often use the two-stage cooking feature. But be aware that if there is a power outage or you unplug the microwave, the memory will be reset.

Two-stage cooking lets you program the microwave to automatically switch from one function to another. For example, you can begin cooking food at an 80% power level for 4 minutes and then switch to cook at a 60% level for an additional 2 minutes.

I’m hungry, let’s nuke something!

I tested all the features that the CMW-110 has to offer and I’m happy to say that I have been enjoying cooking and reheating my favorite foods with this microwave. My favorite features are the 2 stage cooking feature and sensor cooking.

I use the two-stage cooking feature to cook steel cut oats which first has to come to a boil and then has to cook on a lower power setting for another 5-6 minutes.

The sensor cooking has worked great for reheating leftover pizza and reheating other leftover foods that usually turn out with the texture of cardboard when I’ve tried reheating them with my old microwave.

What I like

  • Adjust cooking time to make sure foods are thoroughly heated
  • Quiet
  • 3 memory slots/presets
  • 3 year warranty

What needs to be improved

  • Dark interior makes it hard to see inside while cooking and to see splatters for clean up
  • Display is VERY bright

Final thoughts

I think the Cuisinart CMW-110 microwave oven with sensor cook & inverter technology is the perfect choice for someone who doesn’t need a huge microwave. The CMW-110 may be small but the inverter and sensor cooking features along with two-stage cooking and memory settings make it one of my favorite kitchen gadgets so far this year.

Price: $199.95
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Cuisinart.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: , ,

Cuisinart CMW-110 microwave oven with sensor cook & inverter technology review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 20, 2019 at 11:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.